Bad karma for Nadella as 'mega' payout given thumbs down

Shareholder advisory firm suggests Microsoft investors reject $65m stock grant to CEO

Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella appears to be on the receiving end of some bad karma after an influential investor adviser suggested the firm's shareholders reject a mega payout to him.

Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), which advises company investors, recommended Microsoft shareholders reject a "mega" grant of stock to the CEO worth $65m (£41m), according to the Wall Street Journal.

ISS said it was "concerning" that the firm plans on granting Nadella additional shares annually. The vote on Nadella's pay packet is expected to go ahead during the company's annual meeting at the start of next month.

Last month Nadella was heavily criticised after implying that women should not ask for a pay rise but instead should rely on karma to get extra cash. His comments prompted feminist groups to call for his head.